New Balance
New Balance (also known simply as NB) is an American sportswear company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1906 by English-born William J. Riley, the brand is known for its comfortable, high-quality products.
Over the past 115 years, the North American institution has made its shoes in both the U.S. (Massachusetts, Maine) and U.K. (England). Since its origins as a company specializing in arch supports, the brand has enjoyed widespread popularity among runners, which began with the New Balance Trackster, the first-ever running shoe with rippled soles (1961), and continued well into the subsequent decades thanks to the New Balance 320 (1976); New Balance 990 (1982); and New Balance 1500 (1993), among others. (President Bill Clinton famously wore the pair during his presidency, which led to high sales of the model.)
Several popular New Balance shoes are rooted in performance-needs, but they’ve also gained popularity within the lifestyle space. Special collaborations with Concepts, Ronnie Fieg and Aimé Leon Dore have helped it gain footing within highly sought-after sneaker collections.
Recent years have seen the Boston-based manufacturer’s widespread popularity sky-rocket thanks to the “dad” shoe trend. In 2020, the Steve Jobs-approved New Balance 992 from 2006 experienced its first retro run since 2010. New propositions like the New Balance 327 – which debuted April 2020 in collaboration with Casablanca – have quickly garnered praise for their equal-parts heritage and modern design.
Elsewhere, NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard, who signed to the brand in 2018, has brought the company further attention, especially in the performance-basketball space. Leonard’s own signature shoe – the KAWHI – launched Fall 2020. Leonard’s sneaker has been succeeded by the Jamal Murray-endorsed TWO WXY, but much more attention had been payed to NB’s vintage basketball shoes. With the help of Aimé Leon Dore’s Teddy Santis, who was appointed Creative Director of Made in USA in April 2021, the New Balance 550 has become extremely popular.
Away from sportswear, the North American company has supported Covid-19 relief efforts with general-use face masks and footwear for healthcare workers.
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New Balance
New Balance 1500 MADE In England Arrives In Clean-Cut Navy
Get ready for more New Balance 1500 releases; the model stands to play a big role in the brand’s “Made In England” 2024 lineup in...
The New Balance 1500 Made In England Appears In “Green Oasis”
While models like the New Balance 550 and New Balance 9060 have captivated stateside consumers, nothing is knocking the New Balance 1500 off its perch...
Blood Orange Stains The Suede On The New Balance 1500 Made In UK
New Balance is putting on a clinic when its comes to recent “Made In UK” pairs. The New Balance 991v2 continues to draw eyes through...
New Balance Honors The 35th Anniversary Of The 1500
Before the 1980s, New Balance wasn’t really considered a “fashionable” sneaker brand. While its competitors produced various models that would be co-opted for lifestyle wear,...
New Balance’s MADE in UK Classics Put Together A Gentleman’s Pack Reminiscent Collection
Ostensibly made for New Balance’s more mature audience, the “Gentleman’s Pack” likens the design of the brand’s MADE in UK icons to that of oxfords,...
This UK-Made New Balance 1500 Is Releasing On November 2nd
Premium aesthetics and textiles have washed over seemingly every silhouette this fall season like a flood. New Balance’s slew of racer turned lifestyle silhouettes have...
The BEAMS x Paperboy x New Balance “ICE BOY” Capsule Releases On August 5th
After an introductory drop exclusively at Paris Fashion Week in June, followed by a Japan-exclusive release in late July, the BEAMS x Paperboy x New...
New Balance 1500 Made In UK Pairs Grey With Indigo Violet
The New Balance 1500 doesn’t boast the same reputation stateside as other products from the North American-headquartered institution, but that isn’t stopping it from attempting...
BEAMS And Paperboy Paris To Drop New Balance 920 and 1500 Later This Year
Whether atop Needles tracksuits or Reebok classics, BEAMS and Paperboy Paris will waste no opportunity to collaborate. And later this year, the two will be...